Celebrating Pentecost in the “Non-Liturgical” Church

In twenty-first century America, the word “liturgy” has lost a great deal of meaning. Every church is liturgical, whether they recognize it or not. If you serve as a teaching or worship pastor, try placing the morning offering at a completely different spot in the worship service and see what kind of response you get. I’ll give you a hint: it will not be a pleased one. People often push back at the word liturgy and even various celebrations within the liturgical calendar including Advent, Epiphany, Lent, and Pentecost. These celebrations are meant to strengthen the body of the church, while celebrating and practicing them together.

Pentecost is the acknowledgement and celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and other believers described in Acts 2. This is annually celebrated fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, which is the seventh Sunday after Easter. It is also worth noting that this was in correlation with the Feast of Weeks celebrated by the Israelites in the Old Testament, which Christ fulfills in Pentecost, which is known as the birth of the church. The Spirit was promised by Jesus in the gospel of John.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth.” John 14:15–16

The Holy Spirit should without question be worshiped and celebrated. He provides help, comfort, and peace, while shaping our affections to look more like Christ. He is an equal part of the Holy Trinity that should be celebrated as the church celebrates the Father and the Son. Pentecost is a time to formally do that in such a way that helps grow and stretch the body of Christ.

For the regular attending, “non-paid staff” church congregant, the first step in celebrating Pentecost is simply bringing attention to the paid staff about it. If it is not in any way celebrated in your church, bring that to the attention of the people called to lead. Encourage them to educate themselves on the importance of Pentecost and provide them, if necessary, with suggestions of how to properly celebrate it. Every church’s theology, philosophy, and practice is different, but here are a few different ways one could celebrate this special occasion.

Practically, a church could (or should) start with Scripture. Paul is adamant and clear in 1 Timothy 4:13 to not forsake the public reading of Scripture. Reading Acts 2 aloud can be a great starting point for celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit on a day that is historically designated for it.

Another practical way to celebrate Pentecost, without necessarily calling it that, would be to include songs and written prayers for that Sunday that specifically focus on the work of the Holy Spirit.

This can be tricky for several reasons. A church’s philosophy of worship and the work of the Spirit is crucial in deciding which prayers and songs are chosen. One does not simply have enough time in a post this size to go over what specific songs are done. I just know that I have been convicted recently over the lack of songs and spoken prayers that evangelical churches use that speak of the Spirit’s work within us and especially His work within the union of the Trinity itself. Prayerful and serious consideration must be done in doing this, since that will most likely be the most memorable thing taken from that Sunday’s corporate worship service. Doing this can definitely stretch evangelical congregations in ways that, if done well, thoughtfully, and orderly, can make for better disciples.

Another way to celebrate Pentecost would be to encourage members of the church to unify in wearing the color red. In Christian tradition, the color red for Pentecost represents the fire and joy that the Holy Spirit gives believers. Acts 2 describes in the first verse that they were all together in one place. Christians should take advantage of any opportunity to unify as one body. There is nothing special that happens sacramentally by doing this, but churches unify in clothing all the time without even fully realizing it. This is just another way to do that.

Lastly, another practical suggestion would be to celebrate the Lord’s Supper or even have a meal together as a church.

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42

There has been much debate on whether this was specifically talking about the Lord’s Supper or an actual meal. The truth is, there is evidence that they did both with each other, since they shared everything in common with one another. Either are great ways to celebrate the birth of the church, having sweet fellowship with one another, unifying with Christ.

Whatever your church decides to practice or not include, all must agree that the work of the Spirit is life-giving and imperative for the molding and shaping of disciples of Jesus Christ to be conformed to His image. May we worship Him fearfully and joyously as we worship the Father and Son, in perfect unity with one another.